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cnannery19's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism, Rape, Murder, Grief, War, Confinement, Death, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, and Suicide
stellahadz's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
"Who decides what is a monster?"
Aside from the final chapter, I wouldn't call this book a retelling so much as a reframing; the character of Medusa is given space to be a fully fleshed-out character as opposed to simply a monster. Haynes turns the idea of a "hero" on its head through the character of Perseus, who is portrayed as impulsive, bratty, and incompetent instead of brave and adventurous. The tone of the story is elegant and wise but not overly serious - as much as I enjoyed Madeline Miller's books, I found that they lacked levity. I appreciated that there was some humor in Stone Blind. It helps the book feel more modern, reinforcing the idea that its themes and topics are still relevant. I liked the multiple POVs and getting to see how the different aspects of the story tied together through different characters.
Overall a super enjoyable read. I'm often skeptical of Greek mythology retellings, but this one definitely exceeded my expectations and I'm very interested in reading more of Haynes's work.
Aside from the final chapter, I wouldn't call this book a retelling so much as a reframing; the character of Medusa is given space to be a fully fleshed-out character as opposed to simply a monster. Haynes turns the idea of a "hero" on its head through the character of Perseus, who is portrayed as impulsive, bratty, and incompetent instead of brave and adventurous. The tone of the story is elegant and wise but not overly serious - as much as I enjoyed Madeline Miller's books, I found that they lacked levity. I appreciated that there was some humor in Stone Blind. It helps the book feel more modern, reinforcing the idea that its themes and topics are still relevant. I liked the multiple POVs and getting to see how the different aspects of the story tied together through different characters.
Overall a super enjoyable read. I'm often skeptical of Greek mythology retellings, but this one definitely exceeded my expectations and I'm very interested in reading more of Haynes's work.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Rape, Violence, Death, and Misogyny
Minor: Animal death and Infidelity
acasiamae's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Violence
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
kendoll_renea's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Forced institutionalization, Murder, Rape, Physical abuse, Body horror, and Infidelity
atamano's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Sexism, Confinement, Blood, War, Rape, and Grief
Minor: Animal death
charlielizabethm's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Sexual violence, Murder, Misogyny, Pregnancy, and Sexual assault
katewhite77's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I Am Glad I Read This
I tend to avoid myth retellings like the plague simply because I don't know the original material all that well over and above what we are all taught in primary school. I just let myself get swept away by the story.
I read this because it was on a prize list last year, and I have always loved Natalie Hains as a comic and have wanted to try one of her books for a while.
Grim, though the tale is, Natalie's humour sings throughout the book, and because of this, I really recommend the audiobook as she performs it herself, which, of course adds another layer to the humour.
I wasn't expecting to enjoy this book half as much as I did, and I really want to explore more retellings and source material now. Who knew!
I tend to avoid myth retellings like the plague simply because I don't know the original material all that well over and above what we are all taught in primary school. I just let myself get swept away by the story.
I read this because it was on a prize list last year, and I have always loved Natalie Hains as a comic and have wanted to try one of her books for a while.
Grim, though the tale is, Natalie's humour sings throughout the book, and because of this, I really recommend the audiobook as she performs it herself, which, of course adds another layer to the humour.
I wasn't expecting to enjoy this book half as much as I did, and I really want to explore more retellings and source material now. Who knew!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Rape, and Violence
Moderate: Grief
fireinherveinzz's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This made me so fuckin ragey for Medusa she deserved so much better.
Athena is trash
Men are trash .
This wasn’t an original Medusa story like I thought or really her story which was frustrating just a recanting.
I want a story from her POV now.
Athena is trash
Men are trash .
This wasn’t an original Medusa story like I thought or really her story which was frustrating just a recanting.
I want a story from her POV now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Rape, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
bookwormdystopian2's review against another edition
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Rape
stephalogy's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Refreshingly blunt prose, but it detracts from the story tension. Assumes familiarity with the source material. Have Wikipedia open as you read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Murder, Violence, Misogyny, and Xenophobia